Sweet Hope took top honors at the San Diego, CA Trawler Fest this past weekend winning the coveted “People’s Choice” award. Trawler aficionados from around the US and Canada were in town for the event and unanimously bestowed “best in show” accolades to this stunning new Nordhavn 64.

Each Trawler Fest attendee was provided a ballot to select their favorite trawler from the fleet on display at the in-water docks exhibit making their decisions after boarding many different brands including; Mikelson, Ocean Alexander, Selene, Kadey-Krogen, Mariner Seville, Sea Horse, Camano, Ranger Tugs and others. When the votes were tallied, Sweet Hope was selected as the overwhelming favorite.

Sweet Hope’s owners, David and Sally Gibbons, were unable to attend, but were enthusiastically appreciative when told their new yacht was announced the winner. They are extremely proud to accept this award and equally pleased that they were able to share her with visitors attending Trawler Fest.

Trawler Fest, a multi-brand trawler rendezvous sponsored by Passage Maker magazine is an impressive event that is much more than a boat show – it’s a happening with trawlers to view, vendors to meet and informative seminars, plus cocktail parties, lunches and dinners to get better acquainted with others who are passionate about the cruising life style.

For the second year running, the Kona Kai resort provided an excellent venue though most people - especially those who flew in from over a dozen other states and Canada - didn’t plan on rain being a part of their California vacation. San Diego is the second stop in the 2010 Trawler Fest schedule, with Anacortes, WA, Warwick, RI and Baltimore, MD upcoming. For details on Trawler Fest go to their website: www.trawlerfest.com or call 888.487.2953.

Sweet Hope is hull number 20 of Nordhavn’s popular 64/68 series built by the Ta Shing yard in Tainan, Taiwan. She has been remarkably outfitted in a classic, smart and understated style that flows throughout the boat. She boasts the roomier wide body saloon and her teak joinery is exquisite. Sparkling granite countertops and contemporary European appliances complement the galley. Her pilothouse is exceptionally well laid out with two helm chairs and all of the latest nav/com electronics. The staterooms are spacious and comfortable and, for me personally, I really love her vertical portlights flanking the master to port and starboard providing a stunning waterfront view from the full beam suite. Sweet Hope is powered by a single engine dry stack exhaust with a cavernous engine room (including work bench and tool chest). Her teak planks add an elegant touch on deck and the cockpit includes an eight-person dining arrangement aft with a built in barbeque forward. The boat deck is home to her RIB tender and provides access to a very large flybridge that is protected with a fiberglass hard top. All of this and more including many personal touches were incorporated into the build to especially suit David and Sally’s cruising ambitions. The couple, who hail from the UK, purchased the boat from Nordhavn Europe’s sales manager Neil Russell, and plan to explore Alaska before eventually heading across the pond to wander their homeland waters.

The People’s Choice award was announced at the final group dinner on Saturday night. A beautiful Tiffany crystal bowl was accepted on PAE’s behalf by southwest salesman James Leishman, who helped oversee the California commissioning of the boat, and a lovely teak bound ship's log was received on behalf of David and Sally Gibbons by their captain, George T. Morgan-Harris.

George is a very personable and genuine English gentleman – in fact he was not only spotted on duty in blazer and tie, but looks quite natural in the role of British ship’s captain with rain in the sky as he patrols the deck walking around in his leather calf high Dubarry Ultima sailing boots.

The Nordhavn sales staff on hand gathered for a photo with Passage Maker’s Publisher/General Manager Rob Dorfmeyer and their Events Manager Amy Pinter while receiving a warm round of applause from the packed banquet room.

Nordhavn is honored to share this recognition with the Gibbons and we are equally proud to be a long-time national sponsor of Trawler Fest. We strongly endorse all of the wonderful things Trawler Fest and Passage Maker magazine have done to support the power cruising lifestyle.

Congratulations to David and Sally Gibbons and thanks for letting us share Sweet Hope. We all wish you many safe and fantastic journeys as you travel the world in your Nordhavn 64.

If you would like to know more about the Nordhavn 64 Sweet Hope please contact your Nordhavn sales person for more details.

Photos courtesy of Passage Maker magazine and Jeff Merrill

Jeff Merrill is a salesman for Nordhavn based in Dana Point, CA. Jeff can be reached online by sending an email to jeff.merrill@nordhavn.com. You can also follow him on twitter – merrilljeff.